Sector research and guidance

HESA collects and analyses data about UK higher education and published the data publicly online. HESA works with higher education providers in each of the four UK nations, collaborating with them to collect and curate one of the world’s leading higher education data sources. You can find data about your students, staff, graduates, finances and more. 

The NSS is an independent survey that gathers final year undergraduate students' opinions on the quality of their course. It’s published every year and is a rich and influential source of information about higher education. The survey is a key component of the quality assurance and wider regulatory landscape in UK higher education. Many Student Services leaders use the feedback from this survey to measure the impact of their services. The survey is completed by final-year students at all publicly funded higher education providers in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.

Find out more about the NSS. 

The survey data for all four nations of the UK is published online by the Office for Students.

TASO is an independent research organisation for the higher education sector, providing evidence and resources to help reduce equality gaps. Many of TASO’s research projects and toolkits are relevant to the work of Student Services. 

The Office for Students is the UK government-appointed regulator for higher education in England. They publish data-driven analysis and essential evidence on key trends and current issues in English higher education, as well as detailed regulation about how higher education providers must operate. This includes regulation directly impacting the work of Student Services. 

Universities UK is a membership association for UK universities. They publish policy and research, international collaboration, and insights on higher education issues. Their online resources include sector guidance and toolkits for Student Services leaders, including guidance for universities about preventing student suicides. 

OIAHE is an independent body set up to review student complaints about higher education providers in England and Wales. Their resources and publications include good practice frameworks and case studies related to the work of Student Services, for example tackling harassment and fitness to practise.

Advance HE is a member-led charity that works to improve higher education for staff, students and society, with a particular focus on teaching and learning, governance, leadership development and equality, diversity and inclusion. Advance HE provides professional development programmes, events, fellowships, awards, surveys and consultancy. In addition, they publish research and knowledge resources for members, as well as accreditation for teaching and learning and equality charters that aim to advance gender and race equality in higher education and research. 

Student Minds is a charity dedicated to supporting student mental health. They publish research and guidance related to all aspects of student mental health, and they run the University Mental Health Charter accreditation programme. They also provide a free online resource for students, called Student Space, which has articles and tools to help students manage their mental health and wellbeing.